Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with other area mayors, state legislators, city officials, and housing professionals from throughout Western Massachusetts for a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Housing Secretary Ed Augustus hosted by Way Finders in Springfield on Tuesday. The meeting is part of the ongoing efforts of the Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition introduced by Way Finders earlier this year. Lt. Governor Driscoll and Secretary Augustus discussed housing priorities with attendees which included Springfield Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan and Director of Housing Gerry McCafferty.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Thank you Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and Ed Augustus for coming to Springfield to discuss and listen to our housing needs. I thank Governor Healey and her team for making housing a priority. My administration will continue to work cooperatively with the state in dealing with housing needs and problems. A matter of critical importance is the need for additional housing units, which requires new construction and redevelopment, with a focus on workforce development housing. To meet the scale of existing demand in our area, increased financial resources are needed. Here in Western Mass, higher degrees of subsidy are necessary to cover the ‘deltas’ or funding gaps that exist in the market, which is growing, but not as strong as other parts of the state. We must also cooperate with the state on dealing with large problem landlords and poor property managers. Responding to the housing needs of our city and region will take cooperation not only with the state but from throughout the region which is why coming together with the Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition is so important. I am grateful to Way Finders President and CEO Keith Fairey and his team for hosting this meeting and bringing the Western Mass Housing Coalition together as well as for their continued constituent service follow through in connecting resident to housing resources. We are looking forward to more productive discussions as we cooperate to address housing needs and improve quality of life for all.”
